ARLINGTON Graduates of the Class of 1942 from Arlington High School took part in their 65 year reunion on Saturday, Aug. 18. Organized by Ruth Yost, Ruth Wayt and Lois Langsjoen, the event took place at Wellers Restaurant in Arlington.
Over 30 attendees sat down for a lunch together, including many original graduates and some spouses.
Us women that live in the area get together for lunch every other month, said Ruth Wayt, one of the event organizers, Weve been doing that for the past several years. Every time we do the reunion its been a huge hit, a good party.
Many of the members of the class have stayed in contact with each other over the years.
We do this every five years, said Charles Haddenham. We all like to talk about the good times and the not-so-good times.
For many of the graduates, the city of Arlington has gone through overwhelming changes since they grew up here.
The growth is something terrific, said Haddenham in a sentiment echoed by many of his fellow attendees.
Gloria Radies who now lives in Montana certainly agreed.
We have more people now sitting in their cars on the freeway than in the whole state of Montana. The traffic has really picked up.
Radies married into a military family and has lived all over the country, including time spent in Connecticut.
I wanted them to give me a medal for farthest traveler for the reunion, but I didnt get anything.
Many of the young men from the graduating class were drafted into the military out of high school, right in the heart of World War II. Harry Yost and Bud Peterson were two such examples.
Uncle Sam pointed at me, said Yost. I spent two years down in the jungles of the South Pacific.
As the graduates of Arlington High sat down to eat, they shared stories from their past, especially stories about their children and grandchildren. Several old yearbooks circulated around the room. Pictures of the various activities at the school were blown up and placed on a table to be browsed through. The mood was cheerful as the memories came flooding back. For one afternoon, the class of 1942 was reunited in celebration.